The inside story to Proposition 1 | LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Published 9:08 am Saturday, October 24, 2015
To the editor:
For most cities there are public stories and backroom stories about how land gets developed. The real history is tough to figure out at times. Bainbridge Island’s Proposition 1 (Police/Courthouse Bond) is no different.
The pro-bond people have developed a revisionist history of our island’s desire for a government campus smack in the middle of downtown. I’ve lived here for 23 years and there has never been such a “vision.” Never. In fact, the vision has been for a vibrant downtown of small businesses that serve residents and visitors.
Now some of the same folks who own and develop property in the downtown area are pushing this “campus” concept as “history.” They added the municipal court to the bond proposal at the last minute.
Why wouldn’t we use land we already own? Several city-owned properties are completely appropriate sites for the police facility. And the municipal court in Rolling Bay is fine where it is with generous lease terms— and our community just recently paid for security upgrades.
Why would we spend $15 million (plus interest) buying more land to build a mega-government center downtown when our own consultant advised that we could use land we own and spend $7 million for the police building?
So, who’s lined up to buy the old police station? Wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the same folks who have already developed projects along Winslow Way!
And who’s lined up to develop the old Rolling Bay courthouse site and neighborhood? Is it just coincidence that some interested parties are pushing to increase sewage capacity up there by building fecal storage mounds — as there is no sewer presently?
Consider that the current police station site at 0.89 acre is bigger than the proposed land acquisition next to city hall at 0.75 acre! Consider that we already own it. We also own other land that would be better sited to house a new police facility.
There just seems to be some very illogical answers to key questions, so I’ll be voting NO on Prop. 1 this November.
SHARON GILPIN
Fort Ward
